Hampton Court 2000
St. Albans

St. Albans is where I stayed this time...the City of St. Albans has
been around for 2000 years. First built as Verulamium by the Romans,
the city was renamed St. Albans after the first British Christian martyr.
I took the self guided walking tour and was transported back in time. It has an incredible history and wonderful old buildings to see.
St. Albans Cathedral has its origins in the Abbey Church founded in
793 AD by King Offa of Mercia at the tomb of St. Alban, who was
beheaded by the Romans probably in c.230 AD. The Tower is 44 metres tall and was built using the bricks of Verulamium. This place became the premier Abbey of medieval England, until its monastic life ended in 1539 and all but the Abbey Church and Gatehouse was destroyed. It is now a working parish church.
The Abbey Gateway dating from the 14th century.
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks pub - this was rebuilt after the flood of
1599! Reputedly the oldest public house in Britain.
Looking at what is left of an old Roman Wall with the Cathedral in
the background. This is part of the town wall known today at St.
Germain's Block after the medieval chapel which stood on the site.
The Roman Theatre - or what is left ...built in 155 AD. Used
for religious spectacles, also for bear baiting, bull fighting, wrestling
and the like.
A Roman town house -
St. Micheal's Church - founded in 948 AD by Abbot Ulsinus and
containing a monument to Sir Francis Bacon, a local resident then.
A couple of the quaint and beautiful streets I walked down...note
the side of the building across from the Rose & Crown...and note the
curb on the right hand side of the other picture. This was built to
make it easier for people in carriages to get out of.
The last two are of the hotel - which I hope to book for the tour.
It was a wonderful place to stay, surrounded by roses itself and only
ten minutes by bus to St. Albans City Center.